SHORELINE — Less than 24 hours after both the Columbia River and Liberty girls soccer teams eased through their respective state semifinal matches with a lack of drama, it only makes sense that their state title affair would come down to one kick.
Or three saves that is.
After battling to a 2-2 draw in regulation followed by two scoreless overtime sessions, the Chieftains put their faith into the hands of senior goalkeeper Emma Fisk who made three penalty saves to lift Columbia River to a 3-2 shootout victory and the state title on Saturday night at Shoreline Stadium.
“All my coaches ask of me in a shootout is to make one save,” Fisk said with a smile nearly as big as her 6-foot-4 frame. “After I made the first save, I said to myself ‘let’s get a few more just to be safe.’ ”
In just its first season playing in 2A, Columbia River (18-3-1) caught fire when it mattered, winning its last 17 matches after starting the season just 1-3-1.
“This group just keeps fighting,” Columbia River coach Filomon Afenegus said. “And to make a deep run into the postseason you have to have kids with character as well as ability and our girls just left everything out there tonight.”
It was the Chieftains who got on the board first in regulation when Julia Skimas’ corner kick found Sophie Landers who nodded it home in the 16th minute.
The Patriots (14-5-3) would respond though in the 28th minute when Myka Carr saved a through ball from crossing the end line before firing it to Makena Carr who finished from five-yards out to level the score.
After scoring a combined 11 goals in their semifinal wins on Friday, the match had the look of another high-scoring contest after a wide-open first 40 minutes.
“Last night was a bit of a shock to the system,” Afenegus said of his team’s 5-0 semifinal win over Selah. “But we knew this one was going to be a dogfight.
“We’ve played Liberty before in the playoffs (first-round losses in 2011 and 2013, and a 2012 semifinal victory for the Chieftains) so it was everything we thought it would be and I’m glad we came out on top.”
It would be the Patriots to strike again next as Nikayla Copenhaven scored just 76 seconds into the second half, but Columbia River was quick to respond.
After drawing a free kick from 60-yards out, senior Katie Anthony played a bouncing ball into the box which ran past everyone — including Liberty goalkeeper Taylor Thatcher — and into the Patriots net to level the match at 2-2 in the 47th minute.
“Being down a goal, especially so quick into a half, and being able to come back within the next couple minutes was just great,” Fisk said.
Both teams had chances over the final half hour and in the two five-minute overtime periods, but with the deadlock unbroken the sides headed to penalty kicks to determine the state champion.
After Anthony netted her opening spot kick for Columbia River, Fisk stepped up and stonewalled a shot from Liberty’s Taylor Elfstrom.
The scenario played out the same in the third round with Yaneisy Rodriguez converting for the Chieftains and Fisk stopping Liberty’s Makena Carr.
“That’s just a coach’s dream,” Afenegus said about his senior goalkeeper’s performance. “For her to save three it took all the pressure off our shooters so we all owe Emma big time.”
The icing on the cake for Fisk and Columbia River came in the fourth round of the shootout when she made her third and final save on Kayln Gill’s shot, sending the Chieftains into celebration mode as the team huddled on top of their gloved hero.
The championship is the third in program history and first since 2012 when Columbia River claimed the Class 3A title.
“Being that this is my senior year, I can’t think of a better way to end my high school playing career,” Fisk said.
All of the teammates, coaches and fans celebrating the title would probably agree.
COLUMBIA RIVER 3, LIBERTY 2 (PKs)
Columbia River
Goals (assists) — Sophie Landers (Julia Skimas), Katie Anthony. PKs — Anthony, Shalece Easley, Yaneisy Rodriguez.
Liberty
Goals (assists) — Makena Carr (Myka Carr), Nikayla Copenhaver. PKs — Chloe Winn, Copenhaver.
